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Excellent

#174 of 2,463 schools in NJ

Top 7% in state

Birches Elementary School

Elementary School · Washington Township School District

416 WESTMINSTER BLVD, Turnersville, NJ 08012

Enrollment

453

Student-Teacher

10.3:1

Score

8.5

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Turnersville

#1 of 4

public schools

New Jersey elementary schools

#116 of 1,496

In district

#1 of 11

Washington Township School District

Academic growth

9.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Birches Elementary School

Birches Elementary School is a public elementary school in Turnersville, NJ, part of the Washington Township School District. The school serves approximately 453 students in grades Kindergarten – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 10.3:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.5/10, placing it in the 93rd percentile among NJ schools — an above average rating overall.

Students demonstrate 52% proficiency in math, 8 points above the state average and 61% in reading/language arts, 12 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.7/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $93,497, where 34% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

The school is situated in a large suburban setting.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.7Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+2.19 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendImproving
Academics7.1Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency45%
Reading/ELA Proficiency61%
Math vs. State Avg-2.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+17.1 pts
Overall Proficiency53%
Expected (poverty-adj.)55%
vs. Expected-2.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile57th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment7.5Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$24,726

Birches Elementary School — Students at Birches Elementary School score 53% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 55%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

16.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 52.4%
School
State
44.6%
ELA Proficiency 61.1%
School
State
49.3%

Based on 13 test records from NJ state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
58%
ELA
56%
2021*
Math
22%
ELA
41%
2022
Math
45%
ELA
61%
2024
Math
63.1%
ELA
69.5%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.7/10.

How Birches Elementary School Compares

See how Birches Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.5/10
93th percentile in NJ
Academic
7.1/10
7.1/10
Growth
9.7/10
Above average
Environment
7.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
16%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
44 teachers

Location

416 WESTMINSTER BLVD, Turnersville, NJ 08012

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Birches Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Whitman Elementary School (rated 8.1/10, 1.0 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is Thomas Jefferson Elementary School (rated 7.8/10, 1.5 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Hurffville Elementary School (rated 7.5/10, 2.8 miles away, in nearby Sewell), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Turnersville, see our Turnersville schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.2 mi
School Distance Rating
BEACON ACADEMY Sewell 0.8 mi
Whitman Elementary School Turnersville 1.0 mi 8.1
Bells Elementary School Turnersville 1.1 mi 7.2
Washington Township High School Sewell 1.3 mi 6.6
Thomas Jefferson Elementary School Turnersville 1.5 mi 7.8
THE GODDARD SCHOOL Sewell 1.4 mi
Wedgwood Elementary School Sewell 1.9 mi 6.8
Grenloch Terrace Early Childhood Center Sewell 2.4 mi 7.0
Bunker Hill Middle School Sewell 2.3 mi 7.4
Ann A. Mullen Middle School Sicklerville 2.0 mi 4.7
Timber Creek Regional High School Erial 2.2 mi 4.4
CHESTERBROOK ACADEMY Sewell 2.4 mi
Orchard Valley Middle School Sewell 2.4 mi 7.5
Chestnut Ridge Middle School Sewell 2.4 mi 7.0
LASTING LEGACY ACADEMY, LLC Williamstown 3.1 mi
Hurffville Elementary School Sewell 2.8 mi 7.5
Erial Elementary School Sicklerville 3.0 mi 4.7
Charles W. Lewis Middle School Blackwood 3.6 mi 4.9
James W. Lilley Elementary School Erial 2.8 mi 3.2
ERIAL COMMUNITY CHURCH CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Erial 3.2 mi 6.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 08012 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$93,497

Median Home Value

$268,500

Median Rent

$1,589/mo

Population

40,830

College Educated

34.2%

Homeownership

67.9%

Avg Commute

29.3 min

Poverty Rate

9.2%

Median Age

40.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Birches Elementary School has a median household income of $93,497. It is an area where 34% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $268,500, with a median rent of $1,589/month. The local poverty rate of 9.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 29 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Angelo L. Tomaso School Warren, NJ 8.5
Belmar Elementary Belmar, NJ 8.5
Brigantine Community School Brigantine, NJ 8.5
Carlstadt Public School Carlstadt, NJ 8.5
Cliffwood Elementary School Cliffwood, NJ 8.5
Hardyston Township Elementary School Franklin, NJ 8.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Birches Elementary School

What grades does Birches Elementary School serve?

Birches Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Birches Elementary School?

Birches Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 453 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Birches Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Birches Elementary School is 10.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Birches Elementary School rank in NJ?

Birches Elementary School is ranked #174 out of 2,463 schools in NJ.

What is Birches Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Birches Elementary School has a composite rating of 8.5 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Birches Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Birches Elementary School has 52.4% math proficiency and 61.1% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Birches Elementary School a charter school?

No, Birches Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Birches Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Birches Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Birches Elementary School?

16.1% of students at Birches Elementary School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
28 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
30 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Low (1/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
453
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
44
Free/Reduced Lunch
16.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Gloucester County
Data Year
2023–2024

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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